Australian ENT surgeon Prof Payal Mukherjee is hunched, left, but has better posture, less strain and reduced injury risk, right, when using an exoscope. Image: Payal Mukherjee. A new study has found otolaryngologists experience significant musculoskeletal strain during surgery, with researchers warning that poor ergonomics may threaten surgeon wellbeing and long-term career longevity....
No actionable change for audiologists; this study is relevant to ENT surgeons considering ergonomic tools, not to audiology clinical practice.
Surgeon musculoskeletal injury is a serious occupational health issue that can shorten careers and affect patient safety, and evidence supporting exoscope adoption could shift surgical ergonomics standards in ENT.
- 01ENT surgeons face significant musculoskeletal strain (body and joint pain) due to awkward postures during microscope-based surgery.
- 02An exoscope — a camera-on-arm system replacing the traditional surgical microscope — was shown to improve surgeon posture.
- 03Prof Payal Mukherjee, an Australian ENT surgeon, demonstrated the ergonomic benefits of the exoscope in the study.
- 04Reduced physical strain may lower long-term injury risk and potentially extend surgical careers.
- 05Findings suggest ergonomic tool adoption in ENT operating rooms could be a meaningful occupational health intervention.
Otolaryngologists experience significant musculoskeletal strain during surgery.
studysupportedUse of an exoscope improves posture and reduces injury risk in ENT surgeons.
studypartially supported- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Otolaryngologists (ENT surgeons) performing surgery
- Intervention
- Use of an exoscope during ENT surgery
- Comparator
- Traditional surgical microscope
Primary outcomes
Musculoskeletal strain and posture during surgery; Risk of occupational injury
